In This Episode:
Empowering Students Through Athletics
Dr. Chris Reynolds, Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics at Bradley University, believes that sports are a powerful teaching tool for children and young adults.
Growing up in Peoria, Chris discovered his passion for basketball. As a student athlete at Peoria High, his family, team and coach taught him to value structure and tenacity. His drive earned him a scholarship at Indiana University.
“I’m the product of a great deal of people mentoring me, inspiring me, pushing me and helping me along,” Chris says. That’s just one of the many reasons Chris is passionate about this community and is a vocal advocate for the Choose Greater Peoria movement.
Coach Bob Knight of Hoosiers fame became Chris’ mentor, leading him to become a four-year letterwinner and team captain his senior year. He helped IU reach two Big Ten titles in 1991 and 1993.
Beyond sports, Coach Knight encouraged his players to explore the world around them. That extra push fueled Chris’ desire to pursue a law degree and later a Ph.D. It also helped shape his own leadership philosophies.
Chris firmly believes it’s his responsibility to help prepare every one of the 200+ student athletes at Bradley University for life beyond college. And since becoming Vice President of Athletics in 2018, Bradley student athletes have seen numerous successes both in the classroom, on the court and beyond.
Tune in to hear more about those wins, how Bradley athletics is partnering with local organizations to help make a difference in our community and the role that plays in the Choose Greater Peoria movement. We hope you enjoy the wealth of experiences, and of course the great basketball stories, that Chris has to share.
“My goal has always been to be an instrumental part of helping young people develop. Athletics is certainly just a tool or platform or a vehicle for helping young people develop socially, educationally and otherwise.”
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About Dr. Chris Reynolds
Chris Reynolds was named Bradley University’s 10th Director of Athletics in March 2015 and became Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics three years later. Chris brings more than 20 years of distinguished experience to his position.
The positive momentum generated by the department has been marked by record-breaking achievements and a resurgence academically, athletically and in the community. On a national level, Chris served as chair of the prestigious NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Committee and in the spring of 2021, he was selected as a NACDA Athletics Director of the Year recipient.
Prior to Bradley, Chris held senior level leadership positions in athletics administration at Northwestern University and Indiana University and served in the athletics departments at the University of Notre Dame, Western Michigan University and Michigan State University.
Chris earned his Bachelor of Arts, a law degree and a Ph.D. from Indiana University. As an undergraduate, he was a four-year letterwinner in basketball and team captain his senior year. He helped lead IU to Big Ten titles in 1991 and 1993, as well as the 1992 Final Four.
Chris and his wife, Katrina, have two children, Joshua, 20 and Olivia, 17. Connect with Chris on LinkedIn.